The Chinese ambassador to Italy in view of the China-Europe summit
The links between China and Russia, two neighboring countries, is comparable to the axis between the USA and Europe, the pillar of transatlantic relations. Jia Guide, the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Italy since the launchning of 2023, speaks with Ansa in view of the Beijing summit on July 24 between China and EU on the 50 years of bilateral relations, and remarks the required for “advantageous cooperation” for both sides in spite of the existing difficulties.
* China and EU partner, not enemies. The world “is located in a moment of turbulence and intertwined alters”, Jia launchs.
As “fundamental forces for the promotion of multipolarity, the China-EU summit takes on a meaning of great importance”, utilizeful for “clarifying the positioning of relationships as a partnership, promoting bilateral cooperation and improving multilateral governance”. After half a century, the bilateral volume of commercial exalters risen from 2.4 to 785.8 billion dollars, investments from almost zero to about 260 billion. “China and EU are partners, not rivals, let alone enemies”. It is normal that “there are competition and friction.
However, the so -called ‘rebalancing’ must be understood as mutual opening, and the ‘reduction in risks’ must not degenerate into ‘reduction of cooperation’ “. As long as the parties” know how to maintain mutual respect and consultative dialogue, it will be possible to build consent and overcome divergences “, observes the head of the Chinese diplomatic headquarters in Rome.
* The war in Ukraine. The ambassador states that the conflict “should not become a point of divergence”. China “has always supported the promotion of neobtainediations and the search for peace, taking as far as possible the security concerns of Europe”. In spite of the close ties with Russia, China “has clearly affirmed its support for territorial integrity, has publicly expressed the opposition to the utilize of nuclear weapons and has clearly declared that Europe has a fundamental role to play for peace”. Indeed, “the relationships between China and Russia should not represent an obstacle for the Sino-European relationships” as the two countries “are the greatest neighbors of each other” and “the development of bilateral relationships responds to the interests of both”. Likewise, Brussels considers the transatlantic partnership “a pillar of its foreign policy and China has never criticized Europe for this”. The Chinese government has not provided lethal weapons to any of the parties involved in the war “and will continue to work for a political solution of the conflict,” supporting Europe to play an active and important role in this path “.
* Rare lands. Marked by the double utilize “both civil and military, the measures adopted by the Chinese part – notes Jia – comply with international, non -discriminatory practices”.
The requireds of European companies “will be guaranteed”, also with the “priority channel” started. Jia, on the other hand, complains of European restrictions also on US pressure, from machinery for public contracts in the medical devices sector, when the two parties “should commit themselves to creating a fair, transparent and non -discriminatory entrepreneurial environment”.
* The commercial deficit. On the EU deficit to the People’s Republic, the diplomat notes that the current deficit over 300 billion in 2024 is the result of “multiple factors”. Since 2022, the EU deficit has displayn a downward trfinish. Then, “about 40% of the exports of European companies in China is re -stored in Europe, creating the phenomenon in which ‘the surplus appears on the Chinese side, but the profits take place on the European part’”.
The EU “has long maintained” a surplus in services with China, equal in 2024 to “50.358 billion of dollars”. The investment agreement China-EU (“balanced and mutually advantageous”) would give “effective” responses to EU requireds if ratified.
* Relations with Rome. 2025 also marks the 55/mo anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and Italy which is a countest “of the European Union and has repeatedly declared that it wants to be an essential bridge” in relations between China and Europe. “We hope – concludes Jia – that Italy continues to do so, assisting to strengthen mutual respect, the consideration of their respective concerns and the balance of interests between China and the EU, to achieve advantageous cooperation for both”.
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